amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

amyo·​tro·​phic lateral sclerosis ˌā-ˌmī-ə-ˈtrō-fik-  -ˈträ- 

: a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease affecting the motor neurons, usually beginning in middle age, and characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness and atrophy

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease

Examples of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Gleason was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in 2011. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

She was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, four years ago. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Brooke Eby was 33 years old when she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

The discovery could also open new doors in scientists’ efforts to grow human brain cells in a lab, a key part of studying neurological diseases that affect the brain stem, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

translation of French sclérose latérale amyotrophique; amyotrophique "marked by atrophy of a muscle" from a- a- entry 2 + myo- myo- + -trophique -trophic

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• acanthosis
• acidosis
• alkalosis
• amaurosis
• ankylosis
• asbestosis
• brucellosis
• cyanosis
• dermatosis
• diagnosis
• ecchymosis
• exostosis

Medical Definition

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

: a rare fatal progressive degenerative disease that affects pyramidal motor neurons, usually begins in middle age, and is characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease